Wellness Programs and Nutrition Education.

A nutrition education program ought to include a nutritional needs assessment, education counseling, and referral as necessary.

Educational sessions and materials ought to include the following information –

• the relationship of nutrition and chronic conditions

• Improving eating patterns

• Relationship of nutrition and proper weight maintenance

• Exercise

• Stress

• Blood pressure (BP)

• Cholesterol

• Diabetes and other chronic conditions.

• Nutritionally exact information regarding the relationship of health to diet, including cholesterol, fats, fiber, alcohol, carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and vitamin/mineral supplementation.

Methods for identifying healthier foods and incorporating low-calorie, high nutrient foods into consuming habits. Guidelines for improving consuming habits ought to be based on or consisitent with national recommendations like the Food Guide Pyramid.

Instructor ought to be a registered dietitian, registered nurse, or have a baccalaureate degree or higher in health education with training in nutrition.

When an allied health specialist instructs the program, a consultation and review of the program design by a registered dietitian is advised.